Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-10-28
CURRENT AFFAIRS.
WHIrINGHAWS HISTORT

Mr.. BrOwn'- Reply to Mr.. JiilsOn.
M. Fdior An item in "A recent num-
ber Of The Phonix from your Jacksonville
correspondent. for which was not respon
sible, called forth choice bit of ironically
sarcastic literature from Clark Jillson Of
Worcester, Mass, in relation to the history
Of Whiungham, that is quite characteristic
of the writer and his style. | have no
thought of being drawn into a newspaper
controversy in this matter what | have
written was in the interest Of the people Of
Whitingham, rather than the general pub
lie But his article demands a brief reply.
He says Nearly one tenth Of his history
is devoted to vndictive but aimless at
tack upon my centennial address, | must
utterly disclaim this charge The attack,
if docoruusly pointing out some of his er.
rur- aud misstatcmcnts of historical facts
can be called an attack, is in no wise vim
dictve, either in language or bv implica-
ton. It's aim was 10 show the citizens of
Whitiugham that Mr.. Jiilson's theory about
tine charter, and the original name of the
territory of Whltiugham is not correct.
lf there is any fact established by history
beyond a doubt, it is that the territory now
Mhltngham was formerly known as Cum
heraud. But MrsJillson, in his address,
deliberately says this was not the case but
that Cumberland was large tract Of land
without any definite boundaries. And 1t is
equally well established that when Col
Nathan Whiting and his associates petition
"d the Governor of New York for "A grant
90, Vacant land ON the west side of the
Connecticut river, and bordering ON Massa
chu-etts bay, aud pray i also that the 1000
nrrcs vacant land, together with other
tracts previously granted to other officers.
might Ice erected into Il township, and
named Nottingham was then known and
recognized, both by the authorities of New
York, and the people Of Vermont, (thcu
called the New Hampshire grants by the
name of Cumberland township And the
deiunct document duted March -, li1O.
presented 10 the town by Mr.. Jillson, and
which he says IS NOW the charter of this
town recognized by the state, and in full
force, describes this territory as Cumher
mId township. lie had forgotten that this
grant to Col Whiting. that he calls char
ter. was nndc on conditions thnt were for
leited and hence was voli. II never had
show of force H. runNcy "a title tn the lands
described therein. And that when the iu-
ri~dicilon ot Ne" York censed, all the titles
10 lands IN Vermont granted by New York,
ceased with 1t. They were all destroyed
root aiLi branch. 10y the preamble and first
constitution oi Vermont, as shown 10y Shades
Vermont state papers, pnge 24l.
II the render Will examine Mr. Jillsons
address. printed in thr E'attleboro papers
of Aug. 90, lNNO, or the extract given VA
the history of NhitmghGm, commencing ou
page S', they VIII md hy hls dates and state
mruts. that G0v. W entWurth took bold
stand under an arrhnG ment about the
cout"sted boundary line b~tWeen the states
Of Sow Hampshire and New York, by
granting his hfnt township 40 miles west of
the line Hs claimed by Gov. Clinton of New
urk. more than ten months before the ar.
rangement ~gs made, 81 bsiDre the contest
about the boundary lines hnd arisan. And
that the act 10y the legislature ~ New
York. dividing Vermont into coantics, was
declared void bv the king nearly nine years
before 1t vnz passed 10y the legislature.
That in the mouth ~ February, liSl,
Wmdham county "aN established substan-
TALLY ns 1t now exist, ahi the name OF
Cumberland. by whichii hnd been chartered
aud known by t"'5 governments for period
of - years, was ahand med.
will not ask space for more they are
more fully shown in the supplement referred
to. And "hen ] called his attention 10 the
establishment %; Nindham county, and in
quired by whit government except the gov
crnmrut of New York, Cumberland county
had been chartered and known for u years
previous to ] 81. instead OF answering with
ordinary deccucy. he adopts his usual classic
and refined style III this form 'Nuur *
uoranre or your skill as a hypocritical bull
dpzer prompts you to ask the Stupendous
question hy what government was ever
Cumberland county chartered besides the
government Of the province II Sew York
II you had known anything about history
you could have answered. and II you had
been honest would have answered Yer
mont
Ihese fe,y Of the many mis~tatements Of
historical facts ia hi, address, that he defes
any historian, native - foreign, to find any
iuaccurn"y in, with two or three uuimport
ant exceptions. as the supplement referred
to will show, may throw some light on the
style and 'consuminate accuracy Of the